Abelia plant named ‘Kaleidoscope’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Abelia  named ‘Kaleidoscope’ that is characterized by dense compact habit, fragrant white flowers, and variegated foliage that exhibits seasonal color changes from green and golden-yellow, to orange and fiery-red. In combination these traits set ‘Kaleidoscope’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Abelia  known to the inventor.

Botanical designation: Abelia×grandiflora.

Variety denomination: ‘Kaleidoscope’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Abeliagrown as an ornamental plant for use in the landscape. The new cultivaris known botanically as Abelia×grandiflora and will be referred tohereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Kaleidoscope’.

‘Kaleidoscope’ was discovered by the inventor in 1997 as a singlevariegated branch sport on an individual Abelia×grandiflora ‘LittleRichard’ (unpatented). The inventor, who manages plant propagation on anursery in Marshville, N.C., selected ‘Kaleidoscope’ from an individualplant of Abelia ‘Little Richard’ within a crop of ‘Little Richard’. Theparent plant is Abelia×grandiflora ‘Little Richard’.‘Kaleidoscope’ isdistinguishable from ‘Little Richard’ by dense compact habit, smallersize, and variegated foliage. Abelia ‘Little Richard’ exhibits a largergrowth habit and solid-green leaves.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is an ornamental shrub of dense compact habit andvariegated foliage. From spring through summer, and into fall andwinter, the foliage colors on an individual plant change from green andgolden-yellow to orange and fiery-red. Fragrant white flowers appear inmid summer and persist into fall adding a striking contrast against thereddish-purple stems. Light levels influence foliage color and full sunenhances vibrancy of the colors.

Other than the non-variegated parent plant, Abelia ‘Little Richard’, thethree closest comparison plants known to the Inventor are the variegatedAbelia cultivars Abelia×grandiflora ‘Sunrise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,698) and Abelia×grandiflora ‘Conti’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,472) andAbelia×grandiflora×chinensis ‘Mardi Gras’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,203).

The leaves of ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’, and ‘Marti Gras’, are predominantlygreen (that is, green coloration occupies approximately 70% to 85% ofentire leaf surface), with relatively uniform and slender white orcream-yellow margins occupying approximately 30% to 15% the entire leafsurface.

The leaves of ‘Kaleidoscope’ consists of smaller green blotches whichoccupy approximately 50% of the entire leaf surface, surrounded byyellow (spring and summer) or orange and red margins which occupyapproximately 50% of the leaf surface area.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is most readily distinguished from its parent, ‘LittleRichard’ and from the variegated cultivars ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’ and ‘MardiGras’ by its striking and vibrant fall and winter foliage color that isa mix of golden-yellow, orange and fiery-red.

‘Kaleidoscope’ (and its parent ‘Little Richard’) may also bedistinguished from other cultivars of Abelia×grandiflora by plant habitand plant density. ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Little Richard’ appear to be moredeterminate, requiring minimal pinching or pruning to retain their closedense mounding habit which obscures the stems. ‘Sunrise’, ‘Conti’ and‘Mardi Gras’ each exhibit stronger apical dominance which results inextended shoot growth and more visibility of their stems.

‘Kaleidoscope’ was first asexually propagated in 1997 by the inventor inNorth Carolina. Asexual propagation was accomplished using softwoodcuttings. Since that time, under careful observation, the distinguishingcharacteristics of ‘Kaleidoscope’ have been determined stable anduniform, and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newAbelia×grandiflora cultivar ‘Kaleidoscope’. In combination these traitsset ‘Kaleidoscope’ apart from all other existing varieties of Abeliaknown to the inventor. ‘Kaleidoscope’ has not been tested under allpossible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however,without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits variegated        foliage.    -   2. The foliage of Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ displays        seasonal color changes, from green and golden-yellow, to orange        and fiery-red.    -   3. The foliage color of Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is        influenced by light levels and full sun enhances vibrancy of the        colors.    -   4. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits reddish-purple        stems.    -   5. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is 76 cm. in height and        121 cm. in width at maturity.    -   6. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits fragrant white        flowers that bloom from mid summer into fall    -   7. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ exhibits dense compact        habit.    -   8. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is suitable for use as a        low accent plant, mass plantings in the landscape, and as a        container plant.    -   9. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ performs well in acidic,        well-drained, moist soils.    -   10. Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ is hardy to USDA Zone 5 as        an herbaceous perennial and stem hardy to USDA Zone 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Abelia cultivar ‘Kaleidoscope’ showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘Kaleidoscope’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows five two-year old plants of‘Kaleidoscope’ planted in the landscape in North Carolina and exhibitingthe typical dense, compact mounding habit of ‘Kaleidoscope’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the variegated foliagein its yellow and green spring growth.

The drawing labeled FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the variegated foliagein its summer growth which exhibits golden-yellow, green and reddishtones.

The drawing labeled FIG. 4 illustrates a whole plant of ‘Kaleidoscope’in its fall growth and exhibiting the mix of golden-yellow, orange andfiery-red fall foliage.

The drawing labeled FIG. 5 is a close-up view of ‘Kaleidoscope’illustrating the flowers that bloom from mid summer into fall.

The drawings have been made from photographs taken by conventionaltechniques and although foliage colors may appear different from actualcolors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate as possible byconventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the Abelia×grandifloracultivar named ‘Kaleidoscope’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande,Calif. from plants grown in 2-liter containers out-of-doors in full sun.The plants are approximately 18-months-old. Color determinations are inaccordance with the 2002 Edition of the Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. ‘Kaleidoscope’ has notbeen tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences maybe observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions, however, without any variance in genotype. The growingrequirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Abelia×grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’.-   Genus: Abelia.-   Species: ×grandiflora.-   Denomination: ‘Kaleidoscope’.-   Commercial classification: Ornamental shrub.-   Common name: Glossy abelia.-   Uses: Low accent plant and mass plantings in the landscape, and as a    container plant.-   Container size: Suggested container size is 1.5 to 2 liters for    producing a one or two year old plant.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in acidic and well-drained moist soil.    Full sun enhances vibrancy of foliage color, but plants will grow in    partial shade.-   Parent: ‘Kaleidoscope’ was discovered as a single variegated branch    sport on an individual Abelia grandiflora ‘Little Richard’ in a crop    of ‘Little Richard’.-   Plant description:    -   -   Blooming season.—From mid summer into fall.        -   Plant habit.—Dense and compact.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous.        -   Plant form.—Mounding.        -   Plant height (at maturity).—Averages 76 cm when established            in the landscape for three or four years.        -   Plant width (at maturity).—Averages 121 cm when established            in the landscape for three or four years.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy to USDA Zone 5 as an herbaceous perennial            and stem hardy to USDA Zone 6.        -   Propagation.—Softwood cuttings.        -   Root system.—Fibrous.        -   Time to initiate roots.—2 weeks are needed to produce roots            on an initial cutting.        -   Air temperature to develop roots on initial cuttings.—An air            temperature of 29° Centigrade is ideal to produce roots on            initial cuttings.        -   Crop time.—4 months are needed to produce a liner plant in a            5 cm-10 cm plug or pot from an initial cutting. A liner            plant can be potted and grown as a finished 1.5-2 liter            container in a further 10-15 months.        -   Seasonal interest.—Fragrant white flowers from mid summer to            fall, and a mix of vibrant leaf color from spring to fall            and winter.        -   Diseases and pests.—May exhibit occasional moderate            infection of Botrytis under conditions of high humidity and            poor air circulation, as, for example, when plants are grown            too closely together. Otherwise there are no serious            diseases or pests known to the inventor.        -   Growing requirements.—Maintain good fertility to increase            foliage retention in winter.        -   Growing problems.—None known to the inventor. Plant is easy            to grow and requires little or no pruning to maintain dense            compact mounding form.-   Stem:    -   -   Internode length.—1.75 cm. between nodes.        -   Stem diameter.—2.50 cm. in diameter.        -   Stem length.—22 cm. in length.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Stem color.—59A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen to semi-deciduous.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite and whorled.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—138D.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf appearance (abaxial surfaces).—Semi-glossy.        -   Leaf appearance (adaxial surfaces).—Glossy.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter.        -   Petiole color.—Colors 144A and 59A are both present on an            individual plant.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.        -   Leaf length.—Leaves on an individual plant range from            1.5 cm. in length to 3.25 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—Leaves on an individual plant range from 6 mm.            in width to 1.50 cm. in width.        -   Spring leaf colors (adaxial surface).—Centers of individual            leaves are 144B and margins of individual leaves are 150C.        -   Spring leaf colors (abaxial surface).—Centers of individual            leaves are 144B and margins of individual leaves are 150C.        -   Fall and winter leaf color changes (adaxial surfaces).—A mix            of colors 137C, N34A, 34A, 34D, N170D.        -   Fall and winter leaf color changes (abaxial surfaces).—A mix            of colors 137C, N34A, 34A, 34D, N170D.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None observed.-   Flower:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Terminal panicles.        -   Flower depth.—2.50 cm. in depth.        -   Flower diameter.—2.25 cm in diameter.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—2 cm. in length and 0.75 cm. in            diameter.        -   Corolla tube surface (inner surface).—Pubescent.        -   Corolla tube surface (outer surface).—Glabrous.        -   Corolla tube color (inner and outer surfaces).—N155B.        -   Petals.—Five in number.        -   Petal surface (adaxial surface).—Pubescent.        -   Petal surface (abaxial surface).—Glabrous.        -   Petal color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—N155B.        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal margins.—Entire.        -   Petal dimensions.—0.75 cm. in length and 0.50 cm. in width.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Flower shape.—Funnelform.        -   Flower color.—N155B.        -   Quantity of flowers.—A range of 1-6 flowers per panicle.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.        -   Color of peduncle.—165C.        -   Peduncle length.—3 cm. in length.        -   Peduncle diameter.—2 mm. in diameter.        -   Surface of peduncle.—Puberulent.        -   Pedicel color.—182A.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—5 mm. in length and 0.75 mm. in width.        -   Aspect.—Facing outward and downward.        -   Bud shape.—Club-shaped.        -   Bud color.—155A.        -   Bud surface.—Puberulent.        -   Bud dimensions.—11 mm. in length and 4 mm. in diameter.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellate.        -   Color of calyx.—145A.        -   Surface of calyx.—Puberulent.        -   Sepals.—Five in number.        -   Sepal dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 3 mm. in width.        -   Sepal margins.—Entire.        -   Sepal shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Cuneate.        -   Sepal color.—145A.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Blooming period.—Mid summer into fall.        -   Fragrance.—Perfume fragrance.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Four stamens in number.        -   Stamen shape.—Filament.        -   Dimensions of stamen.—2.25 cm. in length and less than            0.50 mm. in width.        -   Color of stamen.—N155B.        -   Dimensions of anther.—1 mm. in width and 0.50 mm. in length.        -   Pollen color.—N155B.        -   Amount of pollen.—Small amount.        -   Anther color.—156A.        -   Anther shape.—Turbinate.        -   Pistil.—One.        -   Color of pistil.—N155B.        -   Pistil shape.—Filament.        -   Dimensions of pistil.—2.25 cm. in length and less than            0.50 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary position.—Inferior.        -   Ovary color.—143A.        -   Ovary shape.—Oblong.        -   Ovary dimensions.—2 mm. in diameter and 6 mm. in length.        -   Ovary surface.—Puberulent.-   Seed: No seed has been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of Abelia plant named ‘Kaleidoscope’ asdescribed and illustrated.